89 Dak..what would you do??

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KramerSwinger70

KramerSwinger70

70 Dart Swinger360
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Simple question for you all....What would you do with this truck?

Its an 89 long bed Dakota. My grandpa has owned it, as is, since 1995-96 I believe. When he passed away in 2011, my uncle inherited it. He not longer needs it and is pasing it on to me since my dart is not currently runnin (and wont be for some time now)

its a stock 3.9 auto 2x4. not exactly in the best shape, the pics make it look better off than it is. gonna use it to tow around the car when needed, otherwise its a parts hauler and may pull a tent trailer down the road, nothing crazy. Apparently the PO before my grandpa pulled a 5th wheel with it (albeit, a SMALL 1) there are spots in the bed from the old hitch.

im getting it for next to nothing, im not even sure if hes gonna charge me for it. runs and drive but needs work.

So, with a long bed 89 Dak that needs to stay CA smog and streetable, what would you do to it?!
 
Hop in and drive. If it will be your main mode of transportation I'd say leave it. Maybe do a couple cosmetic mods.
 
Tags and insurance.
If I never moved its trans, etc., to an A-body, those parts would be here.
 
Make it safe and dependable but nothing

It will make a nice driver,

If it ain't broke don't fix it

The more you do the less dependable it will be. Look at it as a gift from your grandpa. If it has special meaning to you, like he took you fishing in it or to car shows or wherever get it painted and some new wheels. But nothing crazy.

Really not a bad looking little truck
 
ive been suggested to do a sb swap and make it a DD sleeper kinda truck. idk really if im gonna hang onto it or just drive it till it dies and chuck it. If I keep it it will eventually need a complete overhaul, in which case I figure it might be fun to hot rod it as opposed to simply restoring whats already there

while ive got it up here, anyone know what rear this thing has? im assuming prolly a 7 1/4 or something. And how good is the aftermarket for these trucks? usual Mopar? easier maybe?
 
Take off the running board. Drop it 6-8" all around. Chop the roof 4". Fit it for 22" wheels. Paint it piss yellow. Tassels around the head liner. Velvet interior panels and seat cover. Hula girl on dash.

Should be good to go after that...
 
I'm with most. Remove some of the stuff you don't like, clean it up as much as you can...

A reliable DD is worth it's weight in gold! Also, every $ spent on that is one less spent on your dart... A mistake I've made many times

Joe
 
I can't see the pix but I'd check the safety items like brakes, tires, shocks suspension, etc. Then just drive it.

If I ever did a bracket car, I always thought I'd look at a first gen standard cab short bed Dak just to be different. 5.2 or 5.9 Magnum, lightened, yada yada yada.

My son has a std cab short bed 98 Dak R/T that currently runs 14.20's. 5.9 Magnum with headers, throttle body, Mopar intake manifold, stock 3.9 ratio SG 8-1/4. One of the loudest trucks I've ever heard and it's pretty heavy. He just stopped by Sunday to show me the new M/T Drag radials on it. He's going to NC soon for the Dak R/T National meet so we'll see what it runs then.

Putting his motor in a lighter first gen would be fun.
 
Anyone got a pic of a 1st gen Dak with magnum 500 wheels? I can get a set for free, just need tires. Theyr off a 73 charger, dunno if the backspace would affect it but bolt pattern is the same
 
KramerSwinger70 said:
Anyone got a pic of a 1st gen Dak with magnum 500 wheels? I can get a set for free, just need tires. Theyr off a 73 charger, dunno if the backspace would affect it but bolt pattern is the same
Click to expand...

No pic - and yes they will fit, but the back spacing sets them outward a little more than the original wheel. If they're free, you can't go wrong with the price if you don't like the look afterwards.
 
ragtopfury said:
No pic - and yes they will fit, but the back spacing sets them outward a little more than the original wheel. If they're free, you can't go wrong with the price if you don't like the look afterwards.
Click to expand...

Sounds like ur tellin me I have room for fat tires! Haha perfect!
 
ragtopfury said:
Lose the running boards and cheap wheel covers and drive it. The rear should be an 8-1/4.
Click to expand...

X2 Get rid of the stuff. I got rid of the topper on mine and put a Truxedo. Looks much better I think. Then drive the wheels off it.......................... tmm
 

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X2on losing the running boards, but not just from a cosmetic standpoint. Those type running boards tie the bed an d cab together in places they ain't supposed to be. That can cause all kinda unwanted vibrations rattles and squeaks.
 
Drive it.
I fixed an 88 and gave it to my daughter to drive.
I was given the truck because it had a miss in the motor. Burnt valve, fixed it the truck had 150,000 miles on it.
She drove it for about another 60,000 miles then the transmission went out. She sold the truck for $900.
Those 3.9 autos are really dependable trucks.
 
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